Washington Woman Lures New Jersey Boy for Sex

(Centralia, Washington) A 33-year-old local woman, Jessica Pearce, is in federal custody after being charged with engaging in videotaped sex with a 16-year-old boy she met while playing "World of Warcraft" on the Internet.

Pearce faces charges of sex with a minor and child pornography.

According to charging documents, the boy's parents contacted New Jersey law enforcement on Sept. 13, 2009, after the boy disappeared. The youth's parents said he had been communicating with Pearce, whom the boy claimed was in high school.

The boy's father grew concerned in July 2009 after he discovered text messages of a sexual nature sent to his son. He told the boy to end the relationship.

According to charging papers, Pearce gave the boy a forged school identification card and flew with him from New Jersey on Sept. 11, 2009. They were stopped by police three days later at a highway rest stop.

Speaking with police, the boy said he met Pearce the year before while playing the online game "World of Warcraft," FBI Special Agent John Mesisca told the court. The boy, who was 15 at the time, said he initially told Pearce he was 24 but came clean about his age months later.

On three occasions, Pearce flew to meet with the boy in New Jersey, Mesisca continued. On one occasion she brought her 6-year-old child with her.

Pearce remains in custody at the Federal Detention Center at SeaTac.